Where Do I install Swordfish?
Swordfish can be mounted on your return air duct where it will kill most of the micro-organisms passing the lamp, and they will be trapped in your replaceable dust/allergen furnace filter. You can also mount Swordfish above your Air Conditioning coil or Cooling Coil where it will kill 99.9% of the mold and bacteria growth there.

What is a cooling coil / return air duct and where are they?
Your forced air furnace has a return air duct and a supply duct. Air flows from your home return grids through the return duct to the blower and out over your cooling coil (should you have air conditioning) or heat exchanger.

Why use any purification at all?
Studies have shown that inadequate ventilation in homes causes indoor air to be up to 2-5x more polluted than outdoor air. With up to 65 million North Americans suffering from asthma (8 million children), allergies or other respiratory issues, these conditions can be triggered by molds, dust and other aggregates. (Studies have also shown that one gram of duct dust can contain up to 50,000 bacteria).

Swordfish™ eliminates the “triggers” in your indoor air which cause respiratory discomfort. Many studies have shown UV to be the most effective way of battling indoor air contaminants.

Where can I buy the Swordfish UV air treatment system?
Swordfish can be purchased at Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, TruServ (West only) and Federated Co-op (West only) stores, as well as on this site or at your local heating/air conditioning wholesaler. .

Why use UV Purification vs other types?
While there are various methods of purification or filtration on the market, UVC light actually deactivates the DNA/RNA of micro organisms rendering them harmless. Other models can only trap/filter micro organisms.

How can Swordfish help me?
Studies (Health Magazine) show one out of six people who suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to fungi and bacteria in air duct systems. If you or your family, are one of these sufferers, studies show these conditions can be triggered by molds, dust and other indoor contaminants (Institute of Medicine). Swordfish can alleviate your symptoms by attacking your triggers such as dust mites, molds and bacteria. By reducing the impact of these triggers, Swordfish can alleviate the following: Asthsma, Allergies, Hay Fever, Fatigue, Insomnia, Dizziness, Depression, Headaches, shortneess-of-breath, coughing and wheezing.

What is the history of UV in air purification?
Swordfish is bringing air purification used in hospitals for years to homeowners. UV has been used for decades in hospitals and medical facilities, food and other commercial processing applications, irradiating surfaces and keeping indoor air germ, virus and mold free.

Has Swordfish been tested?
Swordfish has been tested extensively by Lighting Sciences Inc. at the University of Waterloo, to determine light output and estimated UVC dose taking into account the velocity of air and exposure time. Swordfish is CSA and UL Listed.

How effective is it?
Swordfish’s effect on common household micro organisms such as serratia marcescens results in an approximate single pass kill rate of up to 85%. Serratia Marcescens is a common trigger of respiratory illness.
How long is lamp life?
It is estimated 10.000 hours or approximately one year and two months however Swordfish notifies you when your lamp requires replacement (red light starts flashing). When the red light turns on you should replace the UV lamp.

Should I unplug the unit when the ventilation (air conditioning) is not working?
Swordfish can be used continually. We do not recommend to plug in and out the unit, as the UV light might get damaged.

Isn’t UVC light harmful?
You should never look directly at UVC light. Following the instructions inside the box will ensure correct usage.

Do Swordfish lamps produce Ozone?
Swordfish uses Philips Lamps. They are ozone free. (Studies have shown exposure to ozone can worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections (EPA)). Our lamps have no endcaps that block illumination and there will not result in “non-sterilized air pockets”. The Swordfish ballast has also been tested by Philips Lighting in the Netherlands. Our Philips lamp has been tested and performs at a broad range of normal air conditioning and heating temperatures and velocity.

Does it replace other air filters?
Swordfish can be used in conjunction with any existing air filter or purifier such as electronic filters, and HEPA filters. However, it requires only a high quality Dust & Pollen/Allergen filter to optain optimum performance.

We’ve got a great Single Room UVC Air Purifier FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section on our main website, which we think is worth repeating over here on the blog:

Can you tell me where to buy replacement bulbs in the future?
www.swordfishuv.com

How much maintenance does it require?
Wash filter every 3 months
Replace lamp once a year – when indicated by the flashing red light

Does it capture dust?
The allergen filter will capture dust.

How long to feel the difference?
Our consumers who suffer from allergies and asthma feel a difference within the first 24 hours.  Those who do not sometimes come to a realization after a winter season, that they did not get colds / flu’s that year.

Does it produce ozone?
Swordfish doesn’t produce ozone. Ozone has been shown to worsen chronic respiratory conditions (EPA) so we developed Swordfish to be non ozone forming.

How does it work?
Swordfish attacks the DNA structure of a micro organism – very similar to how humans would be affected if we were close the sun.  Swordfish de-activates the DNA structure rendering a micro organism unable to reproduce or cause you bodily harm.  The benefit to Swordfish uvc is that it kills rather than just trapping or filtering.

How much will it cost to run?
Swordfish costs pennies a day to run, (5-8 cents).  And a total of $20/30 per year.  Swordfish is designed with solid-state ballast which draws only 1/3 of an amp.

What is the history of UVC?
UVC was first discovered in 1904 as a recognized technique.  It has been used in hospitals and medical facilities for decades.

Manufacturer:
Swordfish is manufactured by Allanson International Inc. that has been around for 80 years.

How can you say it prevents colds and flu and alleviates allergies?
Swordfish kills the bacteria that can cause recurring colds and flu’s as well as pneumonias.  Our consumers say they feel everything from sleeping better to not using as many puffers/allergy pills.  While moulds and allergies, bacteria and fungus can aggravate respiratory discomfort, Swordfish kills those micro organisms so they can no longer cause the same symptoms.

What if I have questions that aren’t answered here?
If you have any further questions, or would just like to learn more about the benefits of the Swordfish UVC Air Purification system, simpley call us on 1.866.807.8049, or email us at swordfish@allanson.com

Swordfish UV Purifiers offer the convenience of online shopping via our own website (here), but we also offer the ability to purchase Swordfish UV products off the shelf via our range of specially selected channel partners.

Our channel partners have been selected to fit with our company culture and business practices as well as their outstanding customer service.

Our Channel Partners include:

Canadian Tire

While you’re viewing our products on the Canadian Tire website, be sure to check out the reviews that their customers have posted of our products

Home Hardware

Click here to find your nearest Home Hardware retailer

Sears

Keep in mind, once again, that these are real, live Swordfish UV customers, not paid actors.

If you’d like to learn more about how Swordfish UV Air Purifiers clean the air you breathe, one breath at a time, contact us now

The first port of call in alleviating the symptoms of asthma and allergies is to attempt to remove the source of the allergens that you are sensitive to. It might surprise you to learn that there may actually be more allergens attached to surfaces in your living areas than in the actual air. Some of these surfaces include carpets, stuffed furniture, pets, and bedding. These allergens can actually be moved off of these surfaces into the air when they are moved or disturbed.

For those suffering severe allergies or asthma, the best course of action might be to actually remove these objects from the living area. Other courses of action that can be taken include reducing the humidity in the living area (to reduce mold and dust mite growth), and increasing the circulation of outdoor air into the living area.
Other important factors in reducing your asthma and allergy symptoms include:

1) Vacuum regularly – at least once a week, preferably twice. For the best results, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or double filter bag if possible. Be aware that vacuuming can actually move dust particles into the air, and in most cases will not remove dust mites deep in carpets and other furniture.
2) Keep windows and doors closed. While this might seem obvious, it’s an important factor in keeping dust and pollen out of your home. Use air conditioning set to “recirculate” to avoid bringing allergens into the home.
3) Reduce mold – use dehumidifiers to reduce moisture in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, clean surfaces that get wet with everyday use regularly.
4) Control dust mites – Ensure that your home is clean and uncluttered, use impermeable zippered bags on pillows and mattresses. Wash your bedding every week in hot water to kill mites.
5) If you keep a pet, keep it out of your bedroom and other areas where you spend a lot of time.

As you can see, there are a lot of things you can do to alleviate your asthma and allergy symptoms. Of course, ensuring that the air in your house is clean and free of dust and allergens is a crucial factor, for this, you should consider a whole home or a portable UV Air Purifier.

Sources: Allergy and Asthma Information Association (www.aaia.ca); Allergic Living Magazine (www.allergicliving.com)

What are dust mites?

Dust mites are microscopic insects that measure only one-quarter of a millimeter in size.  They primarily survive by eating the skin cells shed by humans and their pets and this amounts to about a third of an ounce of skin cells daily. They are white in color and do best in warm temperatures ranging between 24 to 26 Degrees Celsius; 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the fact that most households are mainly closed off to circulation from outside air (especially during the winter months), dust mites thrive in these cozy home environments.

Where they live?

Any household object that human bodies often spend most time using, including pillows, beds, and furniture can be home to hundreds of thousands of dust mites!  In fact, a typical bed often contains tens of thousands of dust mites!

Are they allergy causing?

We can all agree that the ubiquitous existence of dust mites is a creepy concept that is undesirable to consider. Unfortunately, there are even deeper concerns than that when it comes to these household pests.  Although dust mites are usually more or less harmless for most people to be around, they can often cause allergic reactions in people and aggravate asthma symptoms. Especially for those that have more vulnerable immune systems, such as children and the elderly.  In fact, according to a recent study up to 30 percent of people world-wide experience allergic sensitivity to dust mites, and most of time being allergic to dust mites is something that is passed down through hereditary. This allergy can also develop over time due to overexposure to dust mites. The biggest problem isn’t the mites themselves, but the feces that they leave behind wherever they congregate. They leave behind about twenty waste droppings a day, and these droppings contain a protein that many people are allergic to.  Combine that stuff with the other types of dust in your household, and many people can find themselves becoming more and more allergic to being in their own home!

How to deal with dust mites?

Anyway, at this point you are probably wondering just what can be done about these insidious little bugs.  Well, fortunately for all of us (and especially allergy and asthma sufferers), there are a few simple steps that one can take to rid their homes of dust mites.  These would include washing bedsheets, blankets and pillows often (at least every two weeks). Clothes should be washed very frequently as well, paying special attention to items of clothing that often go unwashed for long periods of time (such as delicate sweaters).  Some people recommend that you cover your bedding and furniture with plastic, which would be impervious to the mites, but most find that option both impractical and esthetically undesirable.  Reducing the general humidity and temperature in your household can also help control the level of dust mites that can congregate.
In addition to these methods there is also, the use of UVC air purifiers, which can help keep the dust mites away by keeping neutralizing (or killing) the mites themselves.  Indeed, many pest control companies recommend installing UVC air purification systems in homes in order to minimize the amount of dust mites.  This is due to the fact that not only do UVC units do a great job of killing the mites themselves (along with harmful bacteria that can spread viruses and cause other allergic reactions), but they also reduce the amount of dust that exists. Less dust and dander equals less food for dust mites, which in turn allows for a better home environment.

Congratulations dear reader, regardless of the fact that dust mites are usually something that you don’t want to think about, you now know that there are steps you can take in order to do solve this problem, including looking into the benefits of owning a UVC air purification system!

Sources: Allergy and Asthma Information Association (www.aaia.ca); Allergic Living Magazine (www.allergicliving.com)

Indeed, there are many new machines and products that can increase the energy efficiency in homes, helping to save money while being more ecologically responsible at the same time. The use of UVC technology is playing a big part in this green revolution. One example is the rather recent invention of washing machines that don’t require the use of laundry detergent, like the “LaundryPure” by Ecoquest. This specially-designed washing machine eliminates the need for laundry detergent by using silver ions and UVC water purification technology. By not having to use detergent it allows you to save money, but one of the biggest advantages to using the LaundryPure is that it doesn’t require any hot water either! Check it out for yourself at http://www.ecoquestonline.net/retail_products/laundrypure_home.asp .

Items such as washing machines have increased the use of UVC technology; this indeed applies to air purification systems as well. Traditional HEPA air cleaning systems require a large amount of energy in order to force your indoor air to continuously circulate through the thick HEPA filter. UVC lamps, on the other hand, end up costing you a fraction of what you would spend constantly replacing those traditional air filters, and, as we’ve discussed before, they work so much more efficiently, requiring much less energy to send your home’s air over the UVC lamp. For this reason, choosing to use the more eco-conscious option of a UVC air purification system instead of traditional air cleaning systems, you not only end up having more effectively clean, and indeed sanitized air, but you save money too!

After all; when it comes to air pollution in general, it’s common knowledge that the impact we have had on our planet’s air has rendered much of our outdoor air not as pure as we would like it to be. If you live near any sort of big city, for example, you are probably acutely aware of how the quality of outdoor air can change with each new day, and that it can also affect your health. However, the quality of our indoor air has fallen with the EPA stating that indoor air pollution is the fourth ranked culprit for cancer risk when it comes to the top 13 environmental problems that we face!

So, bearing all of this in mind, it seems pretty obvious that you owe it to yourself, the people around you and the planet itself to thoroughly explore your options when it comes to using more energy-efficient products and appliances in your home. And, the best part of taking advantage of things like UVC technology is that it can help you save green while going green the same time!

Sources: US Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.epa.gov/)

For more videos, please visit the Swordfish UV Youtube Channel.

Keep in mind that these are real, live Swordfish UV customers, not paid actors!

First off, there is that most basic level of cleaning the air we breathe; ridding the air of foreign particles like dust, pollen and animal dander. This, of course, is of primary importance to sufferers of allergies and asthma; for these folks, having the air devoid of the things that their bodies can’t tolerate can sometimes be a matter of survival. The most common method of cleaning these foreign particles from the air is using what is called a HEPA filter, which is simply a fiberglass filter made of randomly arranged particles. In some situations these airborne irritants can also be forced to “land” by using ion- and ozone-generators, which force the particles to stick to surfaces around the room as opposed to remaining afloat in the air. However, this often times isn’t the best solution, because all those surfaces then have to be cleaned in order to completely remove all the offending particles from the room itself.

The next “surge” in our three-part attack plan to keep the air pure is getting rid of all odors, which basically means ridding the room in question of all tobacco smoke, chemical gases and other effluvia. This battle is often fought using activated carbon filters, which have the ability to remove odors in a given room on a sub-micron level by having the room’s air forced through the porous surfaces of the activated carbon. Many air filters utilize both the HEPA filter for airborne particles and activated carbon to neutralize odors at the same time.

Finally, we have debatably the most important level of air purification: the removal of microorganisms, bacteria and viruses from the air. By far the best and most effective method for sanitizing the air that you breathe is to arm yourself with an air purification unit that has a UVC air filter inside, which uses its internal ultraviolet rays to kill 99.9 percent of all potentially harmful bacteria from all the air that passes through the unit. For years hospitals and people with weakened immune systems have taken advantage of this most important level of air purification, and with amazing results, and it is just recently that the general public has been made aware of the importance of UVC air purification.

So there you have it; if you are looking to win the battle against the myriad enemies of clean air, you have to make sure that you are covered on all fronts. And by taking advantage of all the air purification technology that is available today, you can easily achieve this victory, and then finally get to breathe in that pure, clean sigh of relief, knowing that the air you breathe is now indeed as clean and pure as it can possibly be.